Chapter 321: Weird atmosphere
"Whew." Ryan let out a gentle sigh. He wouldn't deny that deep within his heart, he still held hopes of winning.
A trophy symbolized not only recognition from the industry but also a breakthrough, a pivotal moment. For actors like them, who consistently thrived in the realm of independent cinema, the acknowledgment and attention that came with a trophy held greater significance than mere honor. It meant more opportunities to showcase their talent, more freedom to choose their roles.
While it was true that each year's awards carried discussions of favorites and dark horses, being nominated meant there was a chance, wasn't it?
After the announcement of the winners, Ryan found himself in an indescribable sense of disappointment. When he turned around, he saw Renly, who remained composed and tranquil. Curiosity got the better of him, and he whispered, "Aren't you nervous?"
Renly shrugged, a faint smile playing at the corners of his eyes. "Why should I be?" Why should he be nervous?
The last time, at the Emmy Awards, the moment the intense drumbeats resounded, he couldn't help but succumb to nervousness due to his lack of experience. The blend of anticipation, hope, unease, and anxiety rendered his emotions turbulent. It was truly hard to express.
However, this time at the Golden Globe Awards, Renly's demeanor remained remarkably steady. Perhaps it was because the Golden Globes were inherently more of an entertainment spectacle, or maybe the nomination alone was enough to bring joy. Perhaps it was due to the captivating scene of the car accident earlier tonight. But when the award results were announced, he genuinely felt no trace of nervousness.
"To be honest, I'm somewhat disappointed. After the spectacular wreck at the beginning, the ceremony felt rather dull," Renly whispered to Ryan. A chuckle escaped Ryan, drawing the gaze of those around them. He quickly lowered his head, concealing the joyous glint in his eyes.
Dullness, that was Renly's perception.
Something seemed amiss; Ricky Gervais had been absent for nearly an hour. The awards ceremony continued amid grandeur, but the interludes with the presenters had been entirely canceled. Ricky's absence cast a shadow, rendering the atmosphere somewhat overflowing yet strangely subdued, incapable of stirring up the desired excitement.
Renly couldn't help but feel disappointed. The Golden Globes were renowned for their audacity and uniqueness, yet now it appeared they were, at their core, just as 'conservative.' Their so-called 'boldness' seemed to be an image fabricated solely for the sake of their entertainment-oriented promotional buzz. But soon, chaos unfolded once more.
If the "Boardwalk Empire" had defeated "Mad Men", "Dexter", "The Good Wife", and "The Walking Dead" to seize the Best Drama Series award, and if Steve Buscemi had beaten Bryan Cranston from "Breaking Bad" and Jon Hamm from "Mad Men" to claim the Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series award, this could only be considered a moderately unexpected outcome.
And now, the realm of mini-series and TV movies had turned into utter chaos.
First, Romola Garai's outstanding performance in "Emma" had triumphed over Emmy's reigning queen Claire Danes, securing her the Best Lead Actress award in a Miniseries or Television Film. Following that, Al Pacino avenged Renly Hall, settling an old score from the Emmy loss and carrying the Best Lead Actor award for the same category.
Two consecutive awards, and the Emmy victors stumbled at the Golden Globes.
Renly sat in his chair, acutely aware of the myriad of gazes converging from all directions. Various emotions intertwined within those glances—schadenfreude, indifference, curiosity, regret, and even astonishment. Among them were Ryan and Jennifer, who represented the last sentiment. They had prepared to rise and applaud Renly's victory, but as the sound system echoed, the name "Al Pacino" reverberated, freezing their impending action in place.
Conversely, a sense of relief washed over Renly. He stood up first and applauded Al Pacino. Following suit, Jennifer and Ryan rose, joining in the hearty applause.
Al Pacino, an actor who had dominated Hollywood for four decades, despite receiving only one golden statuette in eight Oscar nominations, remained undeniably one of the greatest actors in history. He deserved the standing ovation from the entire audience.
Unlike the Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series category, there was a brief moment of tension for him before the announcement of the Best Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film. However, this unease was fleeting, dissipating upon hearing the results. Winning the Emmy had been an unexpected delight; losing to Al Pacino tonight was only a natural outcome.
Compared to Renly, Jennifer and Ryan were the more disappointed ones. Their expressions were grave and solemn, earning a small smile from Renly.
Renly turned his head and noticed the pall of gloom hanging over "The Pacific" section. Due to the dim lighting, he couldn't discern the specific expressions on their faces, but the palpable disappointment pervaded the atmosphere. Then, Renly realized that Tom Hanks was gazing at him. Tom was clapping, and upon catching Renly's gaze, he slightly redirected his applause toward him, offering encouragement.
Renly couldn't help but smile and nodded in acknowledgment to Tom.
Yet, the surprise twists were far from over.
Standing on the stage, Robin Williams looked at the card in his hand twice in succession, his expression incredibly complex and indescribable. "The winner of the 68th Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Film is..." Robin glanced at the card in his hand for the third time, finally confirming the answer, "Carlos".
The entire venue fell into a stunned silence for a second, then two.
What? "Carlos" won? Not "You Don't Know Jack", not "Temple Grandin", not "The Pacific", but "Carlos"?
In other words, the Golden Globes had practically overturned the Emmy's results. The Best Mini-Series, "The Pacific", and the Best TV Movie, "Temple Grandin", both lost to "Carlos"? This wasn't just an upset; it was downright bewildering.
"What the hell is going on?" Tom's immediate reaction was visceral. Even Tom, known for his composure and positive image, couldn't contain his astonishment at such an outcome. He quickly realized the omnipresent cameras and managed to suppress his vexation somewhat. Nevertheless, the furrowed brow still betrayed his annoyance.
Losing to "Temple Grandin" or "You Don't Know Jack" would have undoubtedly soured Tom's mood; the taste of defeat was always bitter. But losing to "Carlos", to a dark horse that came out of nowhere, this result was even harder to accept.
Renly also paused for a moment. Despite his rebirth, he hadn't retained all the details of the Golden Globe Awards so well, especially the specifics of the TV drama categories. When Robin announced the name "Carlos", Renly's initial reaction was: The wreck got attention. The subsequent thought was: "The Pacific" lost.
The air in the banquet hall of the Hilton Hotel seemed to freeze. The expressions on everyone's faces ranged from shock to disbelief. Finally, the members of the "Carlos" team erupted in cheers, breaking the icy atmosphere, and then the applause followed suit. However, everyone seemed like marionettes, mechanically clapping their hands, their expressions a mix of inexplicable emotions.
Jennifer and Ryan subconsciously turned their gaze toward Renly. Their eyes seemed to ask the same question, "What's happening?"
Renly's polite smile gently lifted at the corners of his mouth. With proper decorum, he applauded the "Carlos" team. Then, he shook his head at Jennifer and Ryan, shrugging his shoulders ever so slightly, indicating his own lack of understanding. After the applause subsided, as the winners began to give their acceptance speeches, Renly mouthed a single word, "Wreck."
This simple term caused all three of them to hide their laughter with great effort.
When Ryan lowered his head, Natalie immediately noticed the wry smile at the corner of Renly's mouth. She furrowed her brows slightly; this guy was truly impolite. Being at a ceremony like this, even if "The Pacific" lost to "Carlos", one should offer congratulations to the opponents, no matter how venomous their tongues might be. That's the demeanor of a true professional, isn't it?
James Franco showed a genuine smile, looking across at Renly, his tension easing.
Tonight's defeat of "The Pacific" was a signal, a sign that Renly's path to Academy recognition faced obstacles. With the limited impact of "Buried", the ripple effect brought by "The Pacific" was the best addition to Renly's image.
If Renly managed to win another Golden Globe Award, even if it was just for Best Lead Actor in a Mini-Series or TV Movie, following his Emmy victory, his name would gain more prominence, crucial for boosting his chances at an Oscar nomination. But now, his loss indicated that the public relations efforts of the team behind "The Pacific" had failed. The ensuing development became much simpler.
In the face-off between "Hour" and "Buried", in the direct confrontation between James and Renly, the former would take the lead. Without surprises, Jennifer would surpass Renly, earning a spot among the Oscar nomination finalists and securing her first Best Actor nomination.
After the unexpected turn, the awards ceremony continued. However, there was little suspense left in the outcome. Going by the night's trend, the results were not difficult to predict.
Indeed, as expected, "The Kids Are All Right" won decisively in the Best Musical or Comedy Film category, while the fierce contest for Best Drama Film ended with "The Social Network" emerging triumphant.
Apart from the Best Lead Actor in a Drama category, "The Social Network" clearly dominated at the Golden Globes. Did this suggest that the PR battle between "The Social Network" and "The King's Speech" had already reached a verdict? Was the winner already decided?
At least, the 68th Golden Globe Awards seemed to believe so.
When the ceremony concluded, Ricky Gervais finally returned to the stage, expressing gratitude towards the organizers and the broadcasting team. He couldn't resist poking fun at himself at the end, saying, "Thank God I'm an atheist!"
However, no one paid him any attention in the audience. People were packing their things and exchanging greetings. Standing on the stage, Ricky indulged in a full-blown monologue, oblivious to the surroundings.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Shallowman
Shallowman Actually, it was Claire Danes that won that year, not Romola Garai. Maybe the butterfly effect, or author got confused? Who knows, but can't really edit this part. Maybe the author tried to egg us on the possibility of Renly being enough of an X-factor to influence the alternate timeline only to reveal at the end that it was not enough to really benefit Renly himself. It is what it is.
"Temple Grandin"- "Journey of Solitude"
"Emma" - "Moments on Air"
"Breaking Bad" - "The Expendables"
"Mad Men" - "Mad Ad Man"
"Dexter" - "Bloodthirsty Coroner"
"The Good Wife" - "Proud Spouse of Virtue"
Steve Buscemi - Steve Buxton
Try guessing what these MTLs stand for:
"Autistic Journey" and "Dr. Death"
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